X-ray imaging apparatus, x-ray image generation method, and 3D imaging apparatus

Abstract

The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source that emits X-rays to an object at different original-view positions, an X-ray detector that acquires original-view images by detecting X-rays having passed through the object, and an image controller that reconstructs a 3D volume image representation of the object from the original-view images and generates close-view images by virtually emitting X-rays to the 3D volume image representation of the object at a shorter distance than a distance between the X-ray source and the object.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
 an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays to an object at different original-view positions; 
 an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-rays having passed through the object to acquire original-view images corresponding to respective original-view positions; and 
 an image controller configured to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) volume of the object from the original-view images and generate close-view images by virtually emitting X-rays to the 3D volume of the object from a shorter distance than a distance between the X-ray source and the object. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the image controller includes:
 a 3D reconstructor configured to reconstruct the 3D volume of the object from the original-view images by using a 3D reconstruction method. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the image controller further includes:
 a close-view image generator configured to generate the close-view images by virtually emitting the X-rays to the 3D volume of the object from the shorter distance than the distance between the X-ray source and the object via reprojection. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the image controller includes:
 a middle-view image generator configured to generate middle-view images corresponding to middle view positions located between the original-view positions. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the image controller further includes:
 a 3D reconstructor configured to reconstruct the 3D volume of the object from the original-view images and the middle-view images using a 3D reconstruction method. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the image controller further includes:
 a close-view image generator configured to generate the close-view images by virtually emitting X-rays to the 3D volume of the object from the shorter distance than the distance between the X-ray source and the object via reprojection. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the close-view image generator is configured to receive the 3D volume of the object from the 3D reconstructor, set a close-view image generation condition, and generate the close-view images via the reprojection based on the close-view image generation condition. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the close-view image generation condition includes at least one of a position of a virtual X-ray source, a position of a virtual X-ray detector, a virtual imaging angle, a virtual view interval, a number of virtual views, and volume resolution. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an image processor configured to generate a 3D image of the object using the close-view images. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a display configured to display the 3D image generated by the image processor in a 3D manner. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the image processor configured to generate a stereoscopic or an auto-stereoscopic image from the close-view images. 
     
     
       12. An X-ray image generation method comprising:
 emitting X-rays to an object at different original-view positions; 
 detecting the X-rays having passed through the object; 
 acquiring original-view images corresponding to respective original-view positions, based on the detected X-rays; 
 reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) volume of the object from the original-view images; and 
 generating close-view images by virtually emitting X-rays to the 3D volume of the object from a shorter distance than an X-ray emission distance to the object from the original-view positions. 
 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 generating middle-view images corresponding to middle view positions located between the original-view positions, from the original-view images. 
 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the reconstructing the 3D volume includes:
 reconstructing the 3D volume of the object by using the original-view images and the middle-view images. 
 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the generating the close-view images includes:
 setting a close-view image generation condition; and 
 generating the close-view images via reprojection based on the close-view image generation condition. 
 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the close-view image generation condition includes at least one of a position of a virtual X-ray source, a position of a virtual X-ray detector, a virtual imaging angle, a virtual view interval, a number of virtual views, and volume resolution. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 generating a 3D image of the object using the close-view images. 
 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 displaying the 3D image of the object on a 3D display. 
 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the generating the 3D image of the object includes generating a stereoscopic or an auto-stereoscopic image from the close-view images. 
     
     
       20. A three-dimensional (3D) imaging apparatus comprising:
 an image receiver configured to receive original-view images acquired at different original-view positions; 
 a 3D reconstructor configured to reconstruct a 3D volume of an object from the original-view images; and 
 a close-view image generator configured to generate virtual close-view images based on an imaginable object corresponding to the 3D volume of the object, by virtually positioning the imaginable object at a shorter distance from a virtual X-ray source than an actual distance between each original-view position and the object; and 
 an image processor configured to generate a 3D image of the object using the close-view images.